Oduduwa News

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have uncovered huge counterfeit foreign notes to the tune of $3, 430, 000 (Three Million, Four Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars) and €280, 000 (Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Euros) in possession of a five-member syndicate arrested for allegedly swindling one Halima Sanni the sum of N26, 550, 000 (Twenty-Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira).

The herbalists: Akingbola Omotayo, Adeola Funsho Ogunrinde, Yahaya Amodu, Kubratu Babalola Olaitan (female) and Familola Sunday Olaitan. were arrested on December 7 and 8, 2025 at their shrines in Osun and Lagos States respectively, following a thorough surveillance and intelligence on their fraudulent activities

Investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly defrauding unsuspecting individuals of their legitimate earnings under the pretence of providing spiritual cleansing and solutions to different ailments.

They also allegedly assured their victims of their powers to conjure several currency notes which must be cleaned up by a genie through spiritual sacrifice before spending the money. They did all these by hypnotizing their victims to provide money for the sacrifice.

Other items recovered from them include two exotic cars and mobile phones.

The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

Veteran Yoruba filmmaker and theatre icon, Chief Lere Paimo, has raised alarm over an alleged plan to remake the classic film Ogbori Elemoso without his consent, accusing the Soun of Ogbomoso and a yet-to-be-named film director of being behind the move.

In a statement made available to the press on Tuesday, Paimo, popularly known for his pioneering roles in Yoruba epic cinema, described the reported plan as a violation of his intellectual property rights and a blatant disregard for due process in the creative industry.

According to him, Ogbori Elemoso is a culturally significant work deeply rooted in Yoruba history and tradition, and any attempt to reproduce, remake or adapt the film without the approval of its original creator amounts to infringement and cultural misrepresentation.

“I was shocked to learn that discussions are ongoing to remake Ogbori Elemoso without my knowledge or consent. This film is my creative work, and no individual or institution has the right to tamper with it without due engagement with me,” Paimo said.

The veteran actor further warned that beyond legal implications, such an action could distort historical narratives and undermine the integrity of Yoruba cultural heritage. He called on relevant stakeholders in the film industry, cultural institutions and legal authorities to intervene and prevent what he described as an “unacceptable act.”

As of the time of filing this report, neither the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso nor the alleged film director has issued an official response to the allegation.

The controversy has sparked conversations within the Yoruba movie industry, with many calling for stronger protection of intellectual property rights and greater respect for veteran creatives whose works laid the foundation for contemporary Nigerian cinema.

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, is set to install Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as Okanlomo of Yorubaland in a grand ceremony on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Oyo Town.

The prestigious title, meaning “beloved child of Yorubaland,” recognizes individuals who contribute to Yoruba unity, culture, and community development. The ceremony will also honor former Zamfara Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari with the title Obaloyin of Yorubaland.

The Alaafin’s decision underscores his authority over traditional Yoruba titles and comes amid ongoing discussions about cultural leadership across Yorubaland, generating significant public and social media interest.

The Fidipote Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode has formally declared its intention to present candidates for the vacant Awujale of Ijebuland stool, following what it described as the failure of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to act within the time allowed by law.

In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ijebu-Ode Local Government and the Ogun State Government, the Fidipote family stated that Fusengbuwa, which was first entitled to nominate candidates, did not submit any name within the 14-day period stipulated under the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law, 2021.

According to the letter, Fusengbuwa was officially notified on December 2, 2025, but failed to present any candidate before the statutory deadline of December 16, 2025.

Relying on Section 16(1)(c) of the Ogun State Chieftaincy Law and the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, the Fidipote Ruling House maintained that it is now legally next in line to present candidates to the kingmakers.

The family has consequently informed the relevant authorities of its readiness to nominate candidates and has invited the local government secretary, or a designated representative, to witness its general meeting scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, in Ijebu-Ode.

The Fidipote Ruling House assured that its selection process would be conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, in strict compliance with the law and established traditional procedures.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, approving a budget of about N892 billion with a strong tilt towards capital expenditure and infrastructure development.

Addressing journalists shortly after the passage of the budget on Wednesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Appropriation and State Economic Planning, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, described the exercise as a historic moment for the state legislature.

Babalola, who represents Egbeda State Constituency and serves as the Deputy Leader of the House, said the budget was subjected to a detailed review across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to him, the Assembly effected key adjustments aimed at strengthening development spending, including the transfer of N2 billion from overhead costs to capital expenditure.

“The total size of the 2026 budget is about N892 billion. We carefully examined the allocations and moved funds from overheads to capital expenditure. Overhead was reduced from N389 billion to N387 billion, and the N2 billion difference was added to capital expenditure for infrastructure development,” he said.

He noted that capital expenditure now stands at over N504 billion, close to N505 billion, representing a significant portion of the total budget and reflecting the House’s resolve to prioritise development over recurrent spending.

“This clearly shows that the state is investing more in capital projects rather than consuming resources on overheads. The implication for citizens is simple. The people of Oyo State will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy under this administration,” Babalola added.

The lawmaker assured residents that the House would intensify oversight functions to ensure strict compliance and value for money across all MDAs.

He also explained that the Assembly’s decision to pass the budget before the end of the year was deliberate.

“It has become our culture to pass the budget before the year runs out. The motivation is to allow the state to begin implementation from the first day of the new year without delays,” he said.

The passage of the reviewed budget follows the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill by Governor Seyi Makinde, tagged the “Budget of Economic Expansion,” with an estimate of N891,985,074,480.79.

While presenting the proposal at the House of Assembly Complex, Agodi, Ibadan, the governor said the budget was designed to accelerate economic growth and position Oyo State for global market integration.

Makinde equally explained that the proposed capital expenditure was N502.8 billion, representing 56.7 per cent of the budget, while recurrent expenditure was pegged at N389.1 billion, or 43.3 per cent.

He disclosed that infrastructure would receive N210.02 billion, education N155.2 billion, health N70.8 billion and agriculture N19.9 billion, noting that the allocation to education exceeded UNESCO’s benchmark.

According to the governor, improved internally generated revenue, achieved through automation and efficiency without introducing new taxes, would help drive the budget.

He highlighted major projects underpinning the economic expansion drive, including the Oluyole Free Trade Zone, the Special Agro-Processing Zones, the dry port and logistics hub, the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, and the 110-kilometre Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road.

Makinde also recalled the completion of key infrastructure such as the Ibadan Central Bus Terminals and Phase One of the Ibadan Airport upgrade, stressing that these investments were opening the state to trade, logistics, tourism and new investments.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, commended the governor for what he described as visionary leadership and sound fiscal management.

He said the structure of the budget aligned with the state’s Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2026 to 2028 and demonstrated a commitment to inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.

Ogundoyin assured that the legislature would work closely with the executive to ensure judicious implementation of the budget and accountability in project execution.

The budget presentation and passage ceremony was attended by top government officials and dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor, Barr. Bayo Lawal; former Deputy Governors; past Speakers of the House; the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; traditional rulers; religious and labour leaders; and other stakeholders.

Governor Makinde also noted that Oyo State would mark its 50th anniversary in February 2026, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate the state’s history, creativity and identity while laying a foundation for future generations.

The approval, conveyed in a letter dated December 16, 2025, and addressed to the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), granted the airport a provisional interim operational permit to begin scheduled flight services.

This development followed the completion of major upgrade works undertaken by the Oyo State Government in its bid to upgrade the facility to international airport status. The improvements include the extension and widening of the runway, enhanced airfield lighting systems, the construction of a 500,000-litre aviation fuel storage facility, a new Protocol Lounge, and other critical infrastructure.

According to the NCAA, the decision was based on a thorough review of updated safety-critical facilities, operational frameworks, and mitigation measures at the airport, taking into account recent developments and additional information submitted by FAAN. The authority also noted that it had previously approved the airport for non-scheduled flight operations.

The NCAA emphasized that the provisional interim permit is conditional upon strict adherence to specified requirements, particularly the full activation of emergency response arrangements, in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations.

Former presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has declared that he is not intimidated by either legal or political manoeuvres aimed at weakening the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy is too deeply rooted to be destroyed.

In a strongly worded statement, Hashim said he was “not intimidated by the legal and political subterfuges sponsored by the ruling APC”, stressing that no individual or party can monopolise power in Nigeria.

According to him, Nigeria has historically embraced pluralism as a tool for managing its diversity, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately chose a multiparty system at independence.

“Nigeria has always been committed to multiparty democracy,” Hashim said. “Even in the First Republic, political power was never concentrated in the hands of one man or one party.”

He recalled that despite the towering influence of Sir Ahmadu Bello as leader of the Northern People’s Congress, other political forces such as Aminu Kano’s NEPU, J.S. Tarka’s Middle Belt Congress, and Sir Kashim Ibrahim’s Borno People’s Union coexisted with significant influence and representation.

Hashim noted that similar political diversity thrived in the South West, where the Action Group competed with the NCNC, alongside regional parties such as the Ibadan People’s Party.

“Our democracy has never been a democracy of one star flying in its firmament,” he said. “In our sky are thousands of stars.”

Drawing lessons from history, Hashim likened the current political climate to the failed self-succession agenda of late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, who attempted to impose himself as the sole presidential candidate of all five registered political parties at the time.

“We are living witnesses to the failure of that plot,” he said, warning that although today’s situation carries “a more sinister twist,” the outcome would be no different.

“While Abacha sought to make himself the sole candidate of all parties, the current agenda is to ensure that no major party is strong enough to field a credible candidate,” Hashim stated.

Expressing confidence that such efforts would collapse, he added, “Just as the Abacha plot ended unrealised, this infantile machination will end in disaster for its authors, by the grace of God.”

Hashim also recalled his personal involvement in the struggle against military rule, emphasising that the resistance was led from within Nigeria, not from exile.

“We fought the self-succession plot here at home, not as self-styled exiled democrats sipping cognac in foreign embassies,” he said.

He revealed that he was part of the internal resistance delegation present at Fort IBB on June 8, 1998, during a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, even as heavy military movements threatened the nation’s future.

Concluding, Hashim expressed firm belief that history would repeat itself.

“The same God who granted us the grace to witness the collapse of the Abacha plot will also help us see the end of the APC-or-no-other-party agenda,” he said.

The Mogajis in Ibadanland, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Monarchs, Baales, the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative (ICPI), and other prominent sons and daughters of the ancient city have cautioned the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, against taking Ibadan for granted.
The stakeholders stressed that the people of Ibadan would not accept any action capable of diminishing the status of the Olubadan stool or the Ibadan traditional system.
The position followed concerns that arose over a sitting arrangement involving the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and a representative of the Alaafin of Oyo at a recent security meeting held in Ibadan.

In a statement signed by the President of Ibadan Mogajis, Mogaji Asimiyu Ariori, and the Coordinator of the Ibadan Compound Peace Initiative, Mogaji Dr Nurudeen Akinade, the stakeholders maintained that Ibadanland should not be regarded as subordinate to Oyo or any other town in Yorubaland.

The statement noted that Ibadan has consistently upheld its dignity and standing within Yoruba tradition and would continue to do so.

The group called on leaders across Yorubaland to engage the Alaafin of Oyo on the matter, adding that the peaceful disposition of the people of Ibadan should not be misinterpreted.

They also stated that the issue surrounding the chairmanship of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs had been settled and should not be reopened.

The stakeholders further highlighted the background of Olubadan as a former senator, governor, and accomplished businessman, stressing that the stool should continue to be accorded due respect.
“Ibadan will never be a slave to anyone. Ibadanland has always maintained its dignity in Yoruba tradition, and this will not change.”

The statement highlighted Olubadan’s distinguished background as a former Senator, Governor, and successful businessman, emphasizing that he will not be subjected to any form of ridicule.

“Ibadan mesi, won o go” (Ibadan has spoken, we won’t go back), the statement concluded, indicating the resolve of the people of Ibadan to defend their dignity and tradition.
“Ibadanland deserves respect, and any attempt to undermine its traditional institutions will be met with resistance. The people of Ibadan are united in their determination to protect their stool.

The Department of State Services has arrested an Osun State–based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, following a pro-Palestine protest held in the state, according to Western Post.

Sheikh Molaasan, who leads the Islamic group Ta’awunu Muslimeen, was taken into custody after a video surfaced online showing him and his followers calling for the liberation of Palestine, which is under Israeli occupation. The footage, which featured members of the group waving Palestinian flags, quickly went viral and triggered widespread debate on social media.

The protest raised security concerns among members of the public, especially given Ta’awunu Muslimeen’s history of organising similar demonstrations in support of Palestine, including one held in 2018. The group describes itself as committed to Islamic teachings and advocacy for Muslim causes globally.

During the march in Iwo, participants were seen pledging allegiance to the Qur’an and Sunnah. However, some actions captured in the video, particularly coordinated arm gestures, drew criticism, with observers likening them to Nazi-style salutes.

Concerns were further heightened by the presence of children chanting intense religious slogans, a development that has unsettled many Nigerians amid the country’s ongoing struggles with security and religious extremism.

The Oyo State Civil Service Commission has just received Governor Seyi Makinde’s approval to proceed with the issuance of letters to qualified officers seeking conversion and transfer of service.

The Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, confirmed the development today while responding to questions from Oduduwa News correspondent on the status of the interview earlier conducted for officers applying for conversion and transfer of service.

According to Aderibigbe, the exercise has now reached its final stage following the Governor’s approval granted today.

“Good afternoon. We just got the Governor’s approval now. In fact, I am already working on the press release for it,” he said.

The Chairman disclosed that arrangements have been concluded to issue individual approval letters to successful applicants, noting that 654 officers were cleared in the exercise.

“We hope to release individual letters to the 654 successful officers before the end of the year,” Aderibigbe added.

He assured officers who participated in the interview that the process was conducted transparently and in strict compliance with due process, urging beneficiaries to remain patient as final administrative procedures are being completed for the formal issuance of letters.

The approval marks a significant step toward addressing career progression concerns within the Oyo State Civil Service and underscores the Makinde administration’s commitment to effective personnel management and service delivery.